Magazine type hot-air furnace



2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 W. E. STRANGE MAGAZINE TYPE HOT-AIR FURNACE Oct. 23, 1951 Filed April 28, 1950 Oct. 23, 1951 w. E. STRANGE MAGAZINE TYPE HOT-AIR FURNACE 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 Filed April 28, 1950 lryveryfor W. E. Strsnge "X MIA/fm Patented Oct. 23, 1951 MAGAZINE TYPE HOT-AIR FURNACE William E. Strange, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Application April 28, 1950, Serial No. 158,688 In Canada March 6, 1948 1 claim. l

The invention is particularly designed for domestic heating and the principal objects thereof are to provide ya hopper which will feed coal into the rebox by gravity and to provide an unobstructed entrance on the other side of the rebox for the removal of clinkers or ashes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a relatively narrow grate completely across the firebox for a reduced burning area, formed to carry a maximum amount of fuel, and such that the coal will be fed onto the fire at a sloping angle. v

A further object of the invention is to design the rebox of a relatively narrow cross section while presenting a relatively large combustion chamber for maximum heat distribution.

A further object of the invention is to provide a closed chamber on either side of the firebox for heat transfer therefrom to the hot air chamber, and by doing so, eliminate the use of iirebrick and the like on the walls of the firebox.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a radiator within the air chamber of the furnace for further heat value from the products of combustion.

With the above important and other minor objects in view, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists essentially in the design, construction and assembly of the various parts hereinafter more particularly described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through my new furnace.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional View take on the line 2--2, Figure 1 and showing the hopper in dotted outline.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional View taken on the line 3-3, Figure 1 and showing the hopper position in dotted outline.

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on the line 4 4, Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the grate.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several iigures.

The body of the heater comprises an inverted cup-shaped cast cylinder I (see Figure 3). The lower open end of this cylinder is received by a circular cast base member 2, supported on the floor. The base member is provided with an encircling ange 3 which receives and retains the y cylinder while the lower part of the circular portion is rounded, as indicated at 4.

A pair of spaced vertical heavy plates 5 and.

6 are positioned across the central lower interiorpart of the cylinder I while a rectangular-shapedopening 1 is cut in the wall of the cylinder I, opposite the ends of the heavy plates `5 and 6 and to a width approximately the same as the space between these plates. This opening forms an entrance to the space between the plates. A rectangular-shaped open-ended box 8 is formed from sheet met-al and Welded to the cylinder I and the base member 2 at the opening 1. The lower side of this box forms a continuation of the upper part of the base member, the sides form a continuation of the plates 5 and 6, while the upper portion forms the roof, and together with the sides and bottom, present a sealed passageway into the cylinder. The space between the plates 5 and 6 is utilized for the rebox and the ash chamber as will be later described.

The upper edges of the plates 5 and 6, within the cylinder I, turn over at an angle to present a pair of sloping surfaces 9 and I0 which pass outwardly to the cylinder walls and are welded thereto to create a pair of closed semi-circular chambers II and I2 on either side of the heavy plates 5 and .6. From the above description it will be seen that, when the products of combustion rise between and above the plates 5 and 6, they will be able to expand the full area of the cylinder I, above the plates 9 and IIJ. This area,

indicated by the number I3, I term the combustion chamber.

On each of the interior sides of the heavy plates 5 and 6, a pair of guides I4 and I5 are provided. These guides are formed integral with the plates, the guides I4 being at a slight slope at one side of the centre of the cylinder I whileA the guides I5 are positioned at an acute angle and extend to the opposite ends of the plates 5 and 6. These guides form a saddle for the reception and support of a grate I6, best shown in Figure 5. 'Ihis grate is formed in one piece, of an angular shape, and is provided with a plurality of relatively vertical and horizontal slots II, separated by a cross portion I8. These slots provide upward passages for air therethrough and downward passages for ash in the burning of the fuel.

A xed sloping plate I9 is provided within the box 8 and is aligned with the bottom of they grate but separated therefrom to provide an opening 20 therebetween. A panel 2l covers this opening, slides on the plate I9, and is supported.A

by bars 22, when the panel is over the opening.

The bars 22 have one end supported by the sides of the box 8 and the other end supported by the-- will be deflected to the upper corners and pass out the hot air pipes, indicated. at 26. This casing is circular but slightly oir-set from the centre of the cylinder I so as to enclose the box 8.

A hopper 2l, of a rectangular funnel-shape, is mounted outside of the casing 24Ybutfadjacent-the cylinder I. The upper end of this hopper is approximately the height of the cylinder and-is provided with a suitable removable cover I2B which can be manually lifted by a handle V29 .to iexpose the interior. The lower part of the hopper tapers sharply toward the casing 24 and terminates in a sloping pipe 30 which passes through holes in both the-casing 24 and vthe :cylinder I .to be 'received at-its lower open-end between theplates `E'and `6 abovethefgrate. From the above itwill lbe;ap parent that when the cover 28 is removed and coal is poured Lin'to the'hopper, .it-will pass down throughfthepipe 'and will feed by'gravity onto the grate. f Yuntil fthe .grate Vis covered jand the upper-edge of thef-coalfwithn thecylinder I,1wll be'approximately at 'the-angle indicated by the dotted linel 3 I.

:A flat vertical cast front'3'2 is provided von the front of -vthe-.urnaceY The protruding :edges vof the, boxv bolt-to this iront whilefthe'casing 24 fastenstotheedges thereof. lApair ofeupper and lower doors-33and3'4sare provided onthe-front for entrance to the upper part of .the lgrate and the ash pit respectively. Whenrthe upperdoor 33 is opened, a complete visual observation' can be madeof thefireresting on the grate 'while a poker cana-be inserted, throughthe opening, .to stir the nre and 'draw out lany clinlers. The same poker canbehooked into' the catch :2S-to draw thepa-nel 2=Iback-and--exposethe opening 20. -V/'hensofeX- posed, the polcercan'then .heused to draw the clinkersfandfashes'oi the-grate to fall through thenopening vin-toth'e ash pit. Theseashes and' cl-irrlrersffal-lv into'l a VV:suitable box u35 supported 'by the base Imember AZ-fand, when filled,l this box can be withdrawn through Ythe opening normally close'dby Hierdoor-34.

A curved radiator 35 is mounted yvvithin the casing 2li-rand. passes partly-around-the cylinder Labove fthe boxli. rThis. radiator is rectangular incrosssectionuand the upper endis provided witha pipe-3 1, suitabl-y-boltedftoand.in communication 'with the upper .endnof the-combustion chamber L3.. .Thelower :port-ion ofc the radiator is provided with -anfoutlet pipe.38 which'rpasses through the casing 24 and connectsrto a: suitable smoke pipe (not-shown). .A-Water reservoir .is indicated at39.

-Inoperation, thefire is started inthe,';lower cor-nerfof rthe grate uI5 in any-suitable .manner Aand the -ash .pit door friswopened slightly 'toY supply thefnecessary draft. If desired, anffairregister` orregulator may beprovidedin ft-hisidoor for better control of the air entrance. Theair passes from-the aslr pit; through the grate, and `supplies oxygen to the burning fuel. Thefproducts :of combustionpass upland spreadsout: in the combustiorrchamber I3 thencel into theA radiators-33, androut the pipe-38. The walls of the-combustion. chamberfand the-'Wallsofzthe radiatorfboth supply heat--totheairin'fthe hot air'. casing24. 'This 4 26 While a fresh supply of cool air comes in through the cold air pipes, indicated at 40.

In this connection it might be mentioned that the fire on the grate transmits heat to the heavy plates 5 and 6, which in turn heat the air in the closed chambers II and I2 by contact. The air in the closed chambers circulates and carries the heat to the lower Walls of the cylinder I, or at least to that pant which forms the walls of the chambers. This transferred heat is then delivered to the cool air passing thereover and com- 'ing in from the cold air pipes 40. This method ofsheatitramsference, cools and relieves the heavy plates 5 and 6 from the intense temperature created'bythe Tire, Aseparates the plates from the direct Ydraftpf '.coolair coming from the cold air pipes and'so prevents distortion of the plates 5 and 6, while the lower part of the cylinder, being fair-cular, forms a larger area for improved transfer of the heat to the incoming and rising air in the casing24.

:.Inmrdinary furnaces, having a circular repot, the :circular menstruation greatly reinforces the walls@ `However, in all such furnaces, iirebrckiis used fonathe inside of -the'riepotto protect Vthese wallssfrom1the=excessive heat of the nre. If this firebrick Vwere mot `used the walls would .become extremelyfhotlandfthe cold air from the coldair pipes,-.coming,into contact with these not surfaces, would'buekle'orbreak'them. In this furnacarthe heawyiplates fand iareTla-t and therefore-noties strong as circular ones. becausaalthoug'hzthey become .extremely hot, the chambers '.Ifl l:and I:2 forma cushion between the heatedurfacesfof the plates and theeool airin the casingf2ll'fandfso take 'the place of rebrick.

The-air in these chambers becomes heated toa' high 'temperature but is :continually circulating tozdelilver the heatlto the `:walls :of i the container I, which;is'.rehttivel-y thin: anduof l larger 'area and so dissipates'th'e heat rapidly intothe air in the casing. Accordingly, 'broken vor Vcrumbling 'firebrickl creates-no problem incthisfturnace and the cham-bersiformagpermanent protection for the plates 5 and I. In tests on this furnace, 1 the chambersi-IiIlandfIZ wereffilled with sand. It was foundthatfwhen .these lcham-bers werev so lleQdL the/heatieffthefre 'buckledandru-ined the heavy plates-5 sand 26. However, when the chambers wenefleftfempty, the :circulation zof airjinzthev chambers, fabove deseribed;dissipated the 'heat very quickly and completely eliminated suchv to catch and roll out any formed :'cli-rikersat/theY bottomfiandzwl'lenzsame: arebroug'ht to the .Surfaee,.itf.fis a-simplewmatter vto pass them `down throughfthe openingtz'intothe ash pit. The walls of the combustion chamber present a large outerssurfacef*.rorrfafirscontact, and together-with thefradiatoniarndl heat from'v .the 'closed chambers, resultsiin'iafvery efcientf heat deliveryfrom the furnace. lDueoto11the-factthat the grate is fixed,

and thereforemeverfriddled-or shaken Ior agi-v tated,zithesfurnacerpresents an' ideal medium: for theuhurningiofzsoftlcheap lignitefuels Lwliic'hf-normally pulverize under wheat. zordinaryiatur- 'latter fair-rises:and:passes-.outfithef .hot fair pipes '.f 752 naces fsuchnpulverized.fuelvfalls in red-hot/.ashes Yet, no firebrick is used.

By havingethedoorf33 on' into the ash pit when the grates are riddled and the heat value is lost. While this furnace is adapted for burning this type of coal it can also burn other types providing they are of a size small enough to roll down the coal bed as explained. By forming the heater part of the furnace in a cylinder and partitioning olf the lower parts toy create the closed chambers, a narrow sloping' area is provided for the rebox between the chambers for clear visual observation of the re, a large combustion chamber is formed thereabove for maximum heat distribution, while maximum strength still results from the cylindrical construction.

While I have shown and described the invention as a hot air furnace it will be readily understood that the same could be used in the form of a stove. When so used, the radiator would be dispensed with and a direct connection made to the chimney from the combustion chamber.

What I claim as my invention is:

A furnace comprising; a vertical cylinder closed at its top serving as a fire box and heat exchange structure having a flue extending from the upper part thereof, a pair of spaced apart vertical heavy plates positioned across the lower interior portion of said cylinder spaced apart to provide a re box of substantially rectangular shape and each turned over at an angle at the upper edge presenting upwardly and outwardly sloping walls connected with the wall of the cylinder to thus close off substantially semicircular chambers on the outer sides of the heavy plates and consequently the fire box, a hot air casing encircling and spaced from the cylinder to provide air circulation around and above said cylinder, an angular shaped lattice grate mounted substantially rigidly between and supported by said Vertical plates in the lower part of the cylinder and the re box and inclined at an angle so said grate forms a pocket for the support and REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 91,569 Sanford June 22, 1869 91,857 Mayhew June 29, 1869 538,497 Blair Apr. 30, 11895 599,709 Jahn Mar. 1, 1898 659,971 Hower Oct. 16, 1900 1,808,487 Ahlberg June 2, 1931 2,284,506 Zuberbuhler May 26, 1942 

